Waterford Gaelscoil set to mark 40-year anniversary with big night of nostalgia planned

A Waterford Gaelscoil is celebrating a major milestone this year as it marks 40 years at the heart of the community.

Gaelscoil Philib Barún in Tramore, which first opened its doors in 1985, is preparing to mark the occasion with a special evening of nostalgia, The Gaelscoil Gathering, next month.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 18 at 7.30pm in One The Waterfront, Tramore, with parents, past pupils, present and former staff, and friends of the school all invited to attend.

Tickets are priced at €22 and are available on Eventbrite, with organisers promising a memorable night of celebration, reconnection and reflection on four decades of Irish-medium education in Tramore.

The school was founded in 1985 with just 29 pupils and one teacher, operating from rented premises on Pond Road.

READ MORE | PICTURES: Waterford fixer-upper cottage hits the market for eye-catching price of just €50k

As numbers grew, the gaelscoil moved to Stella Maris House in 1989, by which time enrolment had risen to 65 pupils and three teachers.

Despite spending years in temporary and often challenging conditions, the school community continued to campaign for a permanent home.

That effort finally paid off in June 2017, when the school's purpose-built facility was officially opened after decades of work by parents, staff and supporters.

Today, Gaelscoil Philib Barún has more than 200 pupils, from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, with a team of eight teachers, a resource teacher and an administrative principal.

The school is named after Philib Barún (Philip Barron), the 19th-century Waterford Irish-language advocate born in Ferrybank in 1803.

READ MORE | Waterford students showcase farming ideas at major national competition in Croke Park

Barron was a passionate supporter of the Irish language at a time when such views were far from common, and his legacy continues to inspire the school that bears his name.

Principal Daithí de Paor, who has been teaching at the school for almost 40 years, said the anniversary is a proud moment for the whole school community.

He said: "It has been an extraordinary journey to witness the growth of Gaelscoil Philib Barún from its very early days to the vibrant school community we have today.

"This anniversary is really a celebration of the vision, commitment and resilience of generations of parents, staff and pupils who believed in Irish-medium education in Tramore.

"We are looking forward to welcoming past and present members of our school family to share in the memories and the celebrations."